Instrument assembly



A. CHAMPION I NSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY Oct. 23, 1928. 1,688,522

Filed Feb; 17, 1926 (N-Arnaud.

Patente-d @et 23, 1928.

UNTSE ALBERT CHAMPIGN, OF FLINT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO A C SPARK PLUG COMPANY, 0F FLINT, MICHIGAN.

Application filed February instrument board.

In this type of assembly it has heretofore been proposed to provide a mounting plate with brackets Jfor supporting an instrument, and to conceal the rivets or bolts which secure the brackets to the plate by means of a face plate overlying the mounting plate and Secured thereto. Such a construction is disclosed in the application of Frank N No. 89,366, filed February I9, 1926.

utt, Ser. In this application the plates have been provided with alined apertures for receiving a projecting portion olf the instrumentbezel, the bezel being provided with a flange which engages the rear face of the mounting plate. As the face plate and the mounting plate are spaced some distance apart this construction has necessitated the use of a. special OY SUP- plemental bezel having the part which projects through the alined apertures of greater than standard in order that the outer portion ot the bezel may be properly displayedat the face ot' the panel.

My invention consists in so modifying the construction disclosed and claimed in the Nutt application that instruments standard bezels may be employed.

having This I have accomplished by making the aperture in the mounting plate larger than the aperture in the face plate, thus permitting the bezel to pass entirely through the mounting plate so that the shoulder of the bezel engages the rear face of the tace plate. This construction also possesses the advantage that the instrument is supported in proper position with a slight degree of resiliency.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a front elevation of proved instrument assembly.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 ure 1.

my im- Of ing;

The usual automobile instrument board is indicated by the reference character board is apertured upon which the instruments are mounted.

2. The

as at 4 to receive plate 6 the instruments are supported in identical fashion I have preferred to show only the mounting for the speedometer 8.

Thus I the speedometer is clamped by means of studs 13 projecting from the instrument casing and extending through apertures inthe supporting bracket and Carrying suitable nuts for clamping the instrument in position. The speedometer is provided with the usual bezel let formed with shoulder portion 16. This bezel extends through aperture 18 in the supporting or mounting plate 6 and a portion thereoi extends through aperture 19 in face plate 20, the shoulder port-ion 16 of the bezel engaging the rear tace of the face plate. This plate is secured to the mounting plate 6 in any suitable manner, as by bent over tongues 22 passing through slots 24 provided in the mounting plate.

This construction permits the use of a bezel of standard length for there is nothing buttace plate 20 which consistso'f rather light stock, overlying the shoulder portion 16 of the bezel. At the same time the instrument is yieldingly supported and centered by the face plate.

It is apparent that this invention is' of equal utility where the supporting plate 6 forms an integral part of the instrument board. This method of mounting may be used with any type of instrument or dash titting and without the use of special bezels or housings-- It is easy to assemble and the plate 20, which may be provided with any suitable color or character of inish, affords an opportunity to secure many pleasing ornamental effects. The construction is also of such character that no alteration in the design oi instrument housings is necessary.

I claim:

1. An instrument assembly comprising a supporting plate having an aperture therein, an instrument, means for securing the instrumentto the supporting plate with a portiony thereof projecting forwardly thru the aperture,'said aperture being of a size to permit rearward withdrawal of the instrument, a face plate overlying the supporting plate and in spaced relation thereto and concealing said securing means, said face plate being provided with an aperture in which the said orwardly projecting portion of the instrument is snugly received.

2. In the combination as defined in claim l, sai-d supporting plate being provided with a peripheral flanged portion Within which said face plate is received.

The combination of :i supporting plate having an aperture therein, an instrument 5 loosely fitted in said aperture, means for securing the instrument to the Supporting plate, and a face plate overlying said supporting' plate and secured therto in spaced relation und having an aperture in Which said instruments snugly fitted to hold it in ed- 10 j usted position.

ln testimony whereof I Iny signature.

ALBERT CHAMPION. 

